UPDATE ON SON THAT IS IN HOSPITAL

[lynnkay]

I just posted earlier about my 30 year old son that is currently in the hospital. He admitted himself this past Monday. We are just now hearing from him today, which is 2 days later. He has been on suicide watch and could not contact loved ones. Which I understand, as I have been there myself in the past. My son Todd just hours ago contacted his girlfriend and she contacted me. I am just relieved to hear word about my son. The doctors have placed him on lithium, haldol, ativan and something else that his girlfriend could not remember. I am thinking possibly an antidepressant.

After he is released from the hospital, the hospital is arranging for him to get out patient treatment. Personally, I know he has post traumatic stress syndrome as well. He was in prison 5 yrs. It was very traumatic. He saw things in prison, that many of us never hear on the news. Six months after going into prison, there was a riot. Made state wide news here in Kentucky. Possibly national news as well. I am not certain. While in prison after the riot, some months later, he had a mental breakdown. He was then transferred to the state mental and medical prison here in Kentucky. He remained in that prison for 4 yrs. Where he did really well. He received his GED and went on to take college courses. There is much good in this young man. I am just praying these new meds are the right combination for him. I do agree with what they have him currently on. As I stated in my last post, he does have a huge heart and such potential.

I am just too relieved that the manic high he has been on for these months is over. And I am only too relieved that he is currently in the hospital. This time he listened to us and admitted himself. Something he has never done before. He has been hospitalized before, but this time he wanted the help. And he is willingly taking these new meds. Another huge step. And wants the counseling afterwards. I just pray that it continues once he is out in the world again. All we can do is take it a day at a time and offer support. I know the rest is up to him. I am praying for a good outcome on this. No one wants to see a loved one in this kind of shape and throwing their lives away. Especially when there is help and treatment, to improve quality of life.

[zzzmykids]

Thankfully, your son chose to admit himself, that was the first step.  You said you knew what suicide felt like because you had tried or thought of it before?  Is there a connection to mental disorder in the family genes? Understand why he would have ptsd after what he experienced. When he gets out will it be with the requirement of staying on the drugs and seeing a psychiatrist?
Hope you all are able to stay strong and rally around him.
Best of luck to you, his girlfriend and look into NAMI.org or DBSA.com...maybe org. they are organizations that help the entire family not just the affected person.
zzzmykids

[bernie40]

I'm so glad your son has taken positive steps.  I wish him lots of luck and continued progress.

It's great that he has parents who believe in him, I think that is just as important as the meds and the counselling.  :-)

xxx